Lamp assembly



Aug. 21, 1962 W. R. SPENCER LAMP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 R O T m V m lg/LL 1AM ROBERT SPENCER F/NN 6. 0155 /V ATTORNEI/ Aug. 21, 1962 w. R. SPENCER LAMP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM ROBERTSPEMER United States Patent Ofifice EfiSiLfiZl Patented Aug. 21, 1962 3,050,621 LAMP ASSEMBLY William Robert Spencer, Roberts Drive, South Windsor, Conn. Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,131 15 Claims. (Cl. 240-41.6)

The present invention relates to a lamp assembly, and more particularly to a headlamp having a resilient mounting making it especially suitable for motor vehicles and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a headlamp assembly adapted primarily but not exclusively for use with motor vehicles, said headlamp assembly including a sealed lighting unit and having resilient mounting means to absorb shocks which otherwise might be transmitted from the motor vehicle to the filaments of the lighting unit, said resilient mounting means thereby preventing premature failure of the filaments.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly of the foregoing character wherein the resilient mounting means is adapted to be snapped into place in a suitable panel of the motor vehicle to reduce the time of assembly on the production line thereby reducing the assembly cost of the motor vehicle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly of the foregoing character wherein the resilient mounting means is constructed and arranged so that the sealed lighting unit can be plugged directly into a base of the mounting means, and this assembly of parts can be connected directly to the lighting circuit of the motor vehicle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly of the foregoing character which is constructed and arranged to have a weather-tight joint between the mounting means and the portion of the motor vehicle on which the mounting means is attached, and which also has a weather-tight joint between the lighting unit and the resilient mounting.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly of the foregoing character which has adjusting means for readily adjusting the position of the lighting unit whereby the beam of light therefrom will be properly aligned.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly of the foregoing character which is constructed and arranged so that it can be adapted for use as a dual headlamp as well as a single headlamp of a motor vehicle.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation with portions broken away showing a headlamp assembly embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary section showing a portion of the resilient mounting before being inserted in place in the motor vehicle, or the like;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of one half of the lamp assembly embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 17 Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, a more detailed description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention will be given. The lamp assembly 11) is shown mounted in an apertured plate 12. The lamp assembly 14 is shown to be a dual headlamp, but it is to be understood that the principles of the present invention can be embodied in a single headlamp, and the details of construction of only one of the headlamp units will be described. The lamp assembly includes a body portion 14 which is preferably made from any suitable plastic or rubber-like material having dielectric and resilient properties. The body portion 14 is formed in a cup-shape so as to have a chamber closed at one end and open at the other end. The base 16 of the body portion 14 is relatively heavy and has three slots 13 extending therethrough. The slots generally will be parallel to the axis of the body portion 14 for reasons to be explained hereafter.

The body portion 14 normally will be made by a molding operation at which time an annular sheet metal ring will be made an integral part thereof. The sheet metal ring 29 will have its inner periphery embedded in the inner wall of the body portion 14, and thereafter, the annular ring 20 will flare outwardly of the body portion 14 to a position spaced from and overlying the outer periphery 22 of the body portion 14.

The body portion 14 has a circumferential recess 24 which serves to attach the body portion 14 to the panel 12. A relatively small shoulder 26 extends around the periphery of the body portion 14 and a second but larger shoulder or overhanging lip 28 is similarly disposed in axially spaced relation. Thus, a circumferential recess or groove is formed in the outer surface of the body portion 14 between the lip 28 and the shoulder 24. As is shown in FIGURE 3, the lip 28 is inclined outwardly and toward the closed end of the body portion 14 so that when the lip 28 is in unstressed condition the free end of the lip depends below the plane of the circumferential recess or groove formed between the lip 28 and the plane of the shoulder 26.

When the lamp assembly 10 is inserted into the apertured plate 12, the lip 28 having a relatively thick cross section will be urged upwardly by the plate 12 and the latter will be clamped between the shoulder 26 and the lip 28.

Molded into the body portion 14 adjacent the outer periphery thereof are a plurality of rearwardly extending lugs 341 which serve to aid in adjusting the axial alignment of the annular ring 20 With respect to the axis of the apertured plate 12. This is accomplished by means of a plurality of threaded members 32 which are adapted to be screwed in and out of the lugs 30. This is best carried out by having metal inserts 33 molded in lugs 30 through which the threaded members 32 are screwed. The threaded members 32 have a relatively small neck 34 which fits into the slot 36 formed in the outwardly extending fingers 38. The latter are an integral part of the annular ring 20 so that when the threaded members 32 are screwed a small distance out of the lug 3d, the threaded member 32 will move the finger and thereby the annular ring 219 outwardly with respect to the lug .30. Since the lugs 3b are positioned around the periphery of the body portion 14, screwing the threaded mmebers 32 in or out Will allow the axis of the annular ring 20 to be tilted with respect to the axis of the body portion 14 and thereby with respect to the axis of the apertured plate 12.

Mounted on the annular ring 2t) is a lighting unit 40 of the sealed beam type. The sealed beam unit 4G has a plurality of lugs 42, see FIGURE 2, which are seated on the annular ring 20 adjacent its outer periphery. Thus, when the annular ring 20 is adjusted with respect to the apertured plate 12 by means of the threaded members 32, the axis of the lighting unit 40 will be adjusted in the same manner. The lighting unit it also has a plurality of lugs 44 which are adapted to extend into slots 46 formed in the annular ring 29 to prevent annular rotation of the lighting unit 40 with respect to the annular ring 20.

The lighting unit as is retained in position on [the annular ring 20 by means of the mounting ring 48. The latter has a plurality of fingers which may be attached thereto or may be an integral part thereof, said fingers having a slot 52 -for receiving a screw 54 whereby the finger 50 can be connected to the outer periphery of the annular ring Ztl. When it is desired to remove the mounting ring 48 so as to replace the lamp unit 40, it is only necessary to loosen the screws 54 and thereafter turn the mounting ring 48 in a counter clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 1.

As was previously pointed out, the base 16 of the body portion 14 has a plurality of axially extending slots 13. These are adapted to receive the terminals 56 from the headlamp unit 40 as can be seen best in FIGURE 5. When assembling the lighting unit 4t place in the body portion 14, it is only necessary to push the terminals 56 into their proper slots 18. Thereafter, when the entire lamp assembly is mounted in place on the vehicle, a suitable plug or plug elements from. the lighting circuit of the motor vehicle can be inserted into the opposite ends of the slots 18 into contact with the terminals 55 thereby closing the connection between these terminals.

A cap 58 normally will fit over the base 16 to provide a water seal for the wires (not shown) which will extend through the openings 6t} and will be connected to the contacts of the plug elements (not shown) which will engage terminals 56.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is well suited for motor vehicles using a single headlamp on each side, and it is also well suited where dual headlamp-s are used. For thi purpose it is desired to construct the outer periphery of the body portion 14 in a generally D-shape. This is illustrated by the right headlamp unit shown in FIGURE 1. The other or left headlamp unit is similarly constructed but in a reversed position so that the straight vertical legs of the .two lamps will be in abutting positon.

By virtue of this arrangement, the dual headlamp assembly will be a unitary construction but each of the individual lamps may be adjusted separately.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the lamp assembly, whether in the form of a dual headlamp or a single headlamp, will provide a resilient mounting for the lighting unit 40 so that vibrations from the motor vehicle will not be transmitted from the plate 12 to the lighting unit 46, thereby protecting the filaments of the lighting unit 40 from unnecessary vibrations. This is particularly important in connection with headlamps used in automobiles having 12 volt batteries, because dilferent filaments are required than have been used heretofore, such different filaments being more easily damaged by vibrations. It will also be understood, that a weather-tight seal is provided between the outer periphery of the body portion -14 and the apertured plate 12. This is accomplished by the lip 28 and shoulder 26 which tightly clamps the edges of the plate 12. Also, the mounting ring 48 provides a guard which prevents splashing of water and the like between the lamp unit 40 and the annular ring 2% Furthermore, the present invention simplifies installation of the headlamp unit in the motor vehicle during assembly of the latter.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in self-rctaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like m' terial having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber, a lighting unit having its outer periphery seated on the outer portion of said annular ring and having a substantial portion of its body extending into said chamber, a mounting ring fitting over the outer periphery of said lighting unit and releasably secured to the outer periphery of said annular ring for retaining said lighting unit in said chamber.

2. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in self-retaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, the circumferential recess being formed from an annular shoulder with a fiat upper surface substantially parallel to the plane of said rim and an axially spaced lip, the latter when in an unstressed condition extending through the plane of said flat upper surface so that when the body portion is inserted into the aperture the e gesof the aperture will be clamped between said shoulder and said lip, a rela tively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber, a lighting unit having its outer periphery seated on the outer portion of said annular ring and having a substantial portion of its body extending into said chamber, a mounting ring fitting over the outer periphery of said lighting unit and releasably secured to the outer periphery of said annular ring for retaining said lighting unit in said chamber.

3. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in self-retaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber, a lighting unit having its outer periphery seated on the outer portion of said annular ring and having a substantial portion of its body extending into said chamber, said lighting unit and said annular ring having cooperating anti-turn means preventing rotation of said lighting unit relative to said annular ring, a mounting ring fitting over the outer periphery of said lighting unit and releasably secured to the outer periphery of said annular ring for retaining said lighting unit in said chamher.

4. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in self-retaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, the circumferential recess being formed from an annular shoulder with a flat upper surface substantially parallel to the plane of said rim and an axially spaced lip, the latter when in an unstressed condition extending through the plane of said flat upper surface so that when the body portion is inserted into the aperture the edges of the aperture will be clamped between said shoulder and said lip, a relatively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber, a lighting unit having its outer periphery seated on the outer portion of said annular ring and having a substantial portion of its body extending into said chamber, said lighting unit and said annular ring having cooperating anti-turn means preventing rotation of said lighting unit relative to said annular ring, a mounting ring fitting over the outer periphery of said lighting unit and releasabiy secured to the outer periphery of said annular ring for retaining said lighting unit in said chamber.

5. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in selfretaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber and partially overlying the rim of said body portion in spaced relation thereto, a lighting unit seated on the outer portion of said annular ring, means clamping said lighting unit to said annular ring, and adjustment means operably connected between the outer periphery of said annular ring and the rim of said body portion for changing the axial alignment of said lighting unit relative to said body portion so that the direction of the beam of the lighting unit can be set with respect to the apertured plate in which the lamp assembly is mounted.

6. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in selfretaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid annular ring extending into said chamber and having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery adjacent the open end of said chamber and partially overlying the rim of said body portion in spaced relation thereto, a lighting unit seated on the outer portion of said annular ring, means clamping said lighting unit to said annular ring, and adjustment means operably connected between the outer periphery of said annular ring and the rim of said body portion for changing the axial alignment of said lighting unit relative to said body portion so that the direction of the beam of the lighting unit can be set with respect to the apertured plate in which the lamp assembly is mounted, said adjustment means including a plurality of threaded members retained against axial movement in circumferentially spaced relation around the outer terminal edge of said annular ring and a plurality of lugs in the rim of said body portion into which said threaded members are screwed.

7. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in self retaining position in an apertured plate comprising a cupshaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in said plate, the closed end of the body portion having at least one slot extending therethrough into which a terminal from a lighting circuit is adapted to be inserted when the lamp assembly is mounted in the apertured plate, a relatively rigid annular ring mounted in said chamber and having its outer periphery projecting to a position adjacent the rim of said chamber, a sealed lighting unit seated on the outer portion of said annular ring and having at least one male terminal extending into said slot in the closed end of said body portion 6 and adapted to be engaged by the first named terminal, and a mounting ring fitting over the outer periphery of said lighting unit and releasably secured to the outer periphery of said annular ring for retaining said lighting unit in said chamber.

8. A lamp assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said body portion has a plurality of rearwardly projecting lugs adapted for locating the body portion in a desired position when being mounted in said aperture.

9. A lamp assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein a cap fits over the closed end to provide a seal around the con ductors leading from said lighting circuit.

l0. A lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate comprising a cup-shaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim for receiving the edge of the aperture in the plate, a relatively rigid sheet metal annular ring mounted in the inner wall of said chamber and having its radially outer edge overlying in spaced relation the radially outer edge of said body portion, a lighting unit seated on the annular ring, means retaining said lighting unit in its seated position, and adjustment means operatively connected between the body portion and the annular ring for deflecting the latter with respect to the circumferential recess of the former.

11. In a lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate, a cup-shaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adjacent said rim adapted to receive the edge of the aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid sheet metal annular ring having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphely projecting axially and radially outwardly to a spaced overlying position relative to the rimof said body portion, said annular ring containing means to which a mounting ring can he clamped for holding a lighting unit on said annular ring, and adjustment means operatively connected between said annular ring and said body portion for varying the position of said annular ring relative to said circumferential recess.

12. In a lamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate, a cup-shaped unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber and a rim defining an opening therein with the outer surface of the body portion having a circumferential recess adapted to receive the edge of the aperture in said plate, the circumferential recess being formed from an annular shoulder with a flat upper surface substantially parallel to the plane of said rim and an axially spaced lip, the latter when in an unstressed condition extending through the plane of said flat upper surface so that when the body portion is inserted into the aperture the edges of the aperture will be clamped between said shoulder and said lip, a relatively rigid annular ring having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery projecting axially and radially outwardly to a spaced overlying position relative to the rim of said body portion, said annular ring containing means to which a mounting ring can be clamped for holding a lighting unit on said annular ring, and adjustment means operatively connected between said annular ring and said body portion for varying the position of said annular ring relative to said circumferential recess.

13. In a dual headlamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate, a unitary body portion of resilient rubber-like material having a chamber open at its one end with the open end having a generally D-shape and a circumferential recess around its outer surfaces for receiving a correspondingly shaped edge of an aperture in said plate, a relatively rigid annular ring having its inner periphery embedded in the inner surface of said body portion and its outer periphery pro- 7 jecting axially and radially outwardly to a spaced overlying position relative to the said one end of said body portion, said annular ring containing means to which a mounting ring can be clamped for holding a lighting unit on said annular ring, and adjustment means operatively connected between said annular ring and said body portion for varying the position of said annular ring relative to said circumferential recess.

14. A dual headlamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate comprising a pair of unitary body portions of resilient rubber-like material having chambers open respectively at one end, with the open end of one having a generally D-shape and the open end of the other having the same general shape but in reverse so that the straight sides are in abutting relation, each of said body portions having a recess on its outer surface which receives the edge of an aperture in said plate, and each of said body portions having a relatively rigid annular ring with the inner periphery thereof embedded in the inner surface of the body portion and the outer periphery projecting axially and radially outwardly to a spaced overlying position relative to the one end of its body portion, a lighting unit seated on the outer portion of each annular ring, a mounting ring fitted over the outer periphery of each lighting unit and secured to its corresponding annular ring.

15. A dual headlamp assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured plate comprising a pair of unitary body portions of resilient rubber-like material having chambers open respectively at one end, with the open end of one having a generally D-shape and the open end of the other having the same general shape but in reverse so that the straight sides are in abutting relation, each of said body portions having a recess on its outer surface which receives the edge of an aperture in said plate, and each of said body portions having a relatively rigid annular ring with the inner periphery thereof embedded in the inner surface of the body portion and the outer periphery projecting axially and radially outwardly to a spaced overlying position relative to the one end of its body portion, a lighting unit seated on the outer portion of each annular ring, a mounting ring fitted over the outer periphery of each lighting unit and secured to its corresponding annular ring, and adjustment means op erably connected between the outer periphery of each annular ring and the outer periphery of its corresponding body portion for changing the axial alignment of each lighting unit relative to the apertured plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,225,981 Casson Dec. 24, 1940 2,266,329 Mead et al. Dec. 16, 1941 2,809,283 Spencer Oct. 8, 1957 2,824,214 Bertsche Feb. 18, 1958 2,910,576 Meese Oct. 27, 1959 

